Matthew 5:10-12 The Beatitudes
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Recently I was driving around town and happened to see a guy dressed as the statue of liberty selling something, auto insurance I think. What possesses someone to do that? First off, why do companies think this is a good idea? I think the reasoning is that if they humiliate one of their employees long enough, people will take pity on that person and go buy something from their store. And let's be serious now, don't you feel a little bad for them? I mean, I spent so much time feeling bad that I can't even remember what he was selling!
Obviously this person is doing this because he lost a bet of some sort. Or maybe for a paycheck, but if that's true it better be a good one.
My point is, what does the reward need to be in order for you to humiliate yourself? If I gave you a million dollars, would you tell people about Jesus? What about $10,000? $1,000? What about if I gave you Heaven? Would that be enough to endure persecution? Something to think about.
-Jeff-
